Esperanza Verde is an up-and-coming conservation project in the Peruvian jungle, which has made it its mission to work actively against the black market in wildlife and to manifest local nature and animal protection. In 2010, two Dutch animal managers started the promising project with the purchase of 58 hectares of jungle - the "Selva dormida" - which are now being used to reintroduce wildlife in the most untouched and protected environment possible. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to release the animals into the wild, which is why a larger infrastructure is necessary to supply the animals locally.
In spring of 2016, the jungle clinic financed by the Susy Utzinger Animal Welfare Foundation was put into operation in the project Esperanza Verde: here, the experts of the organisation Esperanza Verde take care of the rearing and veterinary care of orphaned young animals from poached wild animals and of animals that have been confiscated by the authorities (from animal smuggling activities) or injured by other means, either in the following ways
This Jungle Clinic became the 5th SUST Orphan Animal Hospital in December 2016: During the hospitalization, the Susy Utzinger Animal Welfare Foundation covers the veterinary costs, finances medicine, operations, therapies, feed and care of the animals.
After the animals have left the clinic in a healthy condition, it is decided on the basis of years of experience and adapted observation steps whether, when and how the animals will return to the wild. This is usually not an easy process, as the animals have' forgotten' how to behave in freedom due to their long absence. The close contact with people and the targeted search for them can also be problematic. The conservation area, which has meanwhile grown to 180 hectares, plays an important role in this respect. The animals slowly get used to the' new' environment and have found a new home.
Learn more about Esperanza Verde: http://www.esperanzaverdeperu.com/en/
Find out more about the Swiss support association for Esperanza Verde: https://esperanzaverde.ch/
SUST Orphan Animal Hospitals
In many countries, innumerable homeless animals live on the streets. Many of these dogs and cats have been abandoned or have already been born as strays. Life on the street is dangerous and full of privation. Injured and sick animals usually have no chance of surviving and die mostly painfully and alone on the street.
To help these animals in need, the Susy Utzinger Animal Welfare Foundation founded the SUST animal orphan hospitals. 5 such Orphan Animal Hospitals were established in 2016: one each in Galati and Bucharest (Romania), one in Hurghada (Egypt), one in Bello Horizonte (Peru) and one in Budapest (Hungary).
Ever since its opening, animals that have been injured or ill are admitted daily to the SUST Orphan Animal Hospitals, where they are cared for and treated professionally. If the animals are healthy and strong enough to survive on the streets after their recovery, they will be released back to their territory. Special patients with specific needs will be accommodated in animal shelters if possible. Fortunately, it is also possible to find new life places for patients on an ongoing basis.
During hospitalisation, the Susy Utzinger Animal Welfare Foundation covers the costs of veterinarians, finances medicines, operations, therapies, food and care.